Monday, November 30, 2009

Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo sharing a quiet dinner with her parents at Asia de Cuba at the Mondrian South Beach. After the leisurely meal, the couple went for a stroll by the bay à deux, where they ran into a family who recognized them. Minnillo played with their kid while Lachey chatted up the father, and the two took a picture with their new friends before continuing their romantic walk. "Vanessa's entire personality changed when she started playing with the kid," says an onlooker. "She became very energetic and excited.

Maybe I should start this out as the Pittsburgh trip from Hell! LOL....My cousin Lisa and I started out for Pittsburgh at 9am in the morning! The Jim Brickman Concert did not start until 8pm but I had a whole day of shopping in front of me!!

So we got to the Monroeville Mall where I exceeded to buy and buy and buy at Abercrombie and Fitch! It's not a wonder that I have no money. I wanted to go to the Waterfront as well. But I forgot that it was the first exit after you leave the Tunnel and I ended up in Downtown Pittsburgh! Now I go to Pittsburgh all the time, but I don't know the Downtown area as well & it's nothing but Ramps, Streets and Mazes!! Talk about confusing!! If I ever go back I now know my way around! I had just got done saying that I had never seen Three Rivers Stadium. Well guess what? I ended up right beside it when I got lost!! lol. So we finally find the right ramp that would take us back to the Waterfront. But there is a Traffic accident ahead of us and what would normally take 4 minutes took us 45!! So were at the Waterfront and we got to a few stores but it was getting late & I really wanted to find the Bendedum Center before it got dark. I had gotten directions off of Map Quest before we left! And instead they got us even more lost! So I call the Center and the girl could not tell me how to get there either because she doesn't drive! Who the heck does not drive in Pittsburgh? The City's not that big!! But anyway's, she finally tells me that I need to head Downtown! You guessed it. Right back down to where we had gotten lost earlier in the day!! Good Grief. But we got lost finding our way back because it was now dark and the street signs were practically Inviable!

Finally we are back in Downtown Pittsburgh! We park in the nearest parking Garage I could find and venture out onto the streets! Starved because we had put off eating all day. But we had to watch our funds, we had to buy our Tickets yet! Yes I had put it off until this day! So anyway we choose Mcdonalds! Blech, I know but it was cheap and fast. So the next thing I know there is some guy yelling at me "Hey I like your walk" I am trying to ignore him but he was not about to stop until I acknowledged his presence. So I kinda said thanks and went on my way. We shoved the food down our throats cause I just wanted outta there! LoL...So we get up to leave and this guy starts saying shit again, were trying ignore him & Lisa is laughing so hard that she drops her Coke & it explodes everywhere! We just turned around and bolted right out the door. Not long after that another guy approaches me with a Pink Rose and was saying shit about my ass as well. That is the last time I will ever where my Frankie B's in the city again! But remember Pink Rose!!

So we head to the Bendedum Center to purchase our Tickets and as it turns out we could have had FRONT ROW! See how I say Could Have? Well since it was the freaking Holiday my Insurance Company took my money out of my account 1 day early and my Debit Card was denied! Talk about embarrassing! But we did have enough for the Balcony Seats so we took those instead! They were still pretty good seats because we were looking down on them for once instead of being even! So it gave the show a whole new perspective. We were surrounded by OLD PEOPLE everywhere!! lol. And when the show started the couple in front of us kept leaning in and hugging and kissing like a couple of Teenagers!! Please go to the back of the building!!

The show was great! Although I did not see much of a difference between last years show & this years. But still seeing Jeff running around in that Santa Hat and trying to Dance made my night! Especially since he's playing Santa and it's now December 30th!

We had bought our VIP passes earlier that night and I think we were left with about $12.00 between the two of us to get home. But it was worth it. Well Jim's Tour Manager proved to be every bit as rude as she was last year. I mean yeah last year we were not legit and we had to try & get around her but this year I had actually paid. So this time we were waiting to see them and she checks for passes but not ours, figures. I had let Lisa have the 8x10 photo of Jim so that she could show the ladies at the office who she went to see. So when we got to Jim he signs her photo & says to you have anything for me to sign and I am like oh shit....ummmm well yeah, I had Jeff's calendar so I said can you sign this. It was just one of the months at the back of the calendar that did not have Jeff's picture. Would you believe that the Tour Manager started to protest that? So I turned and was like what he can't sign this? Then what is he supposed to sign? So then she shuts up and says go ahead!! I really think he needs to get someone else new here! But who I am?

So finally we get to Jeff and he grins and says as usual "I know you don't I?" My only reply was oh my god here we go again!!! And started laughing. "Well I mean I know I know you and you travel all of the time but I feel bad because I cannot remember your name!" I said it's Susan. "Well I Promise next time I see you I will remember it! Because you are Ribbin me about it!" Ribbin? What the hell is that, Ohio talk?? LOL But then again everytime he see's me, either my Hair color or style changes so its not a wonder!! lol....So Lisa gets her picture taken with him and then we talk a little more. And then it's my turn, and I do not like my picture. Which I will post later because my hair looks horrible! But he looks good so I guess it's okay! And then I bust out the Calender for him to sign. I only brought the whole thing because Lisa had nothing for him to sign, And he cringes! Well Anne is laughing at him and asking him what his problem was. He replied that he could not stand the calendar!! hehe....little late for that considering the year was almost over! And I said I want you to sign every month!! Which he was actually agreeing to until I said no I am just kidding. I want you to sign December because it is my special month! "Why's that?" Because its my Birthday Month. "Well when's your Birthday?" so I looked at Lisa and was like what time is it? It was 11:15 so I turned and said it's in 45 minutes even though I will spend the next two hours of it driving home! "Happy Birthday, wait a minute where are you from again?!!" And I said MD, that's right you had to drive from somewhere to see this show last year!" And he started to sign Happy Birthday Susan right on the 31st. but we got to talking about other things & I think he almost forgot to sign his name! *giggles* So I was like I have to ask you something before we go. "What's that" I was just wondering why there are pictures of you humping some girl at the Philly show floating around the Internet? He kinda looked at me funny and said "Well yeah that was Anne!" and I said well no that was my friend Heather! "Huh? Oh wait that was the girl that said my hug was not big enough! Tell her to post that picture everywhere! I mean there are naked pictures of me on the Intranet as well. Well no there not me, but they are there!! At least that one was legit!" I had to laugh at him! There were all of these older people around and he's talking about being naked on the Internet! *giggles* But as usual the Tour Manager was bustling us along even though there were only probably about 4 people left behind us. So as we were leaving he yells "Thanks for the card Sweetie" and when he turned around to leave he had a Pink Rose hanging out of his back pocket! Guess that guy gave it to someone else outside & she gave it to Jeff! *giggles*

So there you have it! My latest Jeff story! When's the 2005 Tour start????

Yeah yeah yeah.....that's the title to this Blog! LOL....And yesterday my friends, was the Roadtrip from hell....But at the end, turned into the MOST AMAZING night ever!! I met soooo many people yesterday that I thought I would never meet & thanks to you guys is what made the day Sooo much more enjoyable! Alot of shit is happening in my life right now that's totally out of my control. And I really needed a good night like this to really get me outta the mood I have been in lately. It sux. But what can you do? You can't stop someone from leaving. You have to just let go & let fate happen right??

So yeah back to yesterday. The day started out totally miserable. Honestly I am not gonna lie. There were several times when I just wanted to turn my car around & go home. But I had made a promise to Corrine I would be there & this time I was not gonna back out for nothing! Besides what the hell is here at home anyway?? I need to get out meet new people. See new places & have experiences like I did last night. The OLD me.

It was raining SOO hard when I got to Garrett County, thank god the Fog stayed away. I had to pick up Rose at Burger King but when I got there I found out that she was actually 10 miles up the road at Mcdonalds instead. That's Mapquest for ya. So I go to Mcdonalds. But mind you, I have only talked to Rose once, and have never met her in person! LOL..So I had Noooo idea what I was in for! Lmao....Rose thak you for turning out to be a kool person! :) I pick her up & were off to Ohio!! Which I was on the phone so I took a couple of wrong turns or Sooo I thought and I'm sooo tired anyway that instead of saying Ohio it kept coming out HO OHIO. Lmao. Then I started sing Hi HO Hi hO were off to Ohio...Hence the title of this letter....What do you expect?? It's pouring down rain, I'm tired & nearly delerious & I am only 2 hours into this drive!!

So we drive & drive & drive and Mapquest says to take 250 which I did because on the Atlas it looked like a short cut. But Ummm no, I think it really took us much much longer!! But we finally get there some 4 hours later...I'm pretty damn sure the last time I made this trip It only took me 3.5 hours to get there. Damn mapquest!! Never again....So once were there I get this Brilliant idea that I need to go to the Mall. Which you know me. I can sniff a mall out anywhere! I drove us straight to it. It was a pretty small mall. But there was alot of stores there that I could do some SERIOUS damage at. But I was here to see Jeff & Jeff only. nOt spend all of my money!! lol...So I get to the Mall and call Corinne. Her & Morgan are still an hour away. So we head to the food court, where I preceed to plow my way thru a Sbarros Strombolli! YuMMMMy!!! We left the Mall shortly thereafter when I discover a Gabriel Brothers! WhoooooHooooo!! (For those of you that do not know, this store is Amazing!!!!) Then Corinne calls so we ventured back to the Mall.....Now I have never met her before either. But I have talked to her Soooo much over the last 9 years that I felt like I already new her in person. I'm wandering around the Mall looking for a Tall Blonde!! Lmao....For some reason I thought she was really tall. So were talking to each other on our cell phones and I see a Tiny Blonde on a cell, I was like Ummmm I think I see you! :) I was right. So she introduces herself & Morgan to Rose & I and our Jeff adventure begins!!

We get back to the Hotel. Corinnes hotel room. I had cancelled ours the day before because our plans were sooo screwed up that I didn't want to waste yet again more money this winter on something that I didn't think was actually gonna happen! But it did thank god! We freshen up & that did alot of good because it was still pouring down rain. Thank God for make-up cause the hair was just not happenin! lmao....

There was a HUGE line out from with people screaming for the camera's & for Jeff. That was such a good feeling. And thank god for the pre-tickets cause that got us inside & out of the rain!! Oh yeah I forgot to mention that we met Neecee in the elevator. I never really talked to her before. But after seeing someones name on all of the Boards, she stood out! :) Probably the same way I do. But that's a good thing!! She was in line with her Partner-n-crime as well. About that time the Birthday girl Mickie comes strollin in with her cousin, so we all introduce ourseleves as were walking in the auditorium. We get inside & see June down front. So we run over so Corinne can say Hello & I can finally meet June as well. Like I said this was a day that I really knew noone in person accept Jeff. LoL....So it was a very surreal Experience!! :)

Well I got back to sit down & Jeff comes strollin down the isle talking to everyone. And would you believe that I walked right past the man & didn't even realize it was him?? LOL...He wasnt very close but still. I cannot believe I did that. I had to laugh at myself!! So there was a bunch of acts on before Jeannie Ortega & Jeff came on. So we all just basically sat around and talked for a few hours!! Jeannie Ortega has an amazing voice! You should really check her out if you have not already!!

Then it was time for Jeff WITH a LIVE BAND!! Yep I said it! LIVE BAND!! I am soooo happy that things are going well for him! That man has worked hard to get where he is & he deserves it!! Well we were all piled up against the stage like a little bunch of teenagers!! lol..There were alot of teenagers there so we just blended ourselves in. But being short I didn't have a very good view. Except for when he got really close.....Well all of the sudden he busts out *DRINK'S IN THE LOBBY, SEX ON THE BEACH!!!* Well June, Corinne & I all look at each other & yell Sex on the Beach. It's an old Inside Joke from Jeff's Board!! But we had soooo much fun with it last Summer. VH1 was there filming his new Reality TV show for those of you that are reading & do not know. So there was a camera filming everything! :) Jeff comes off the stage & starts making his way thru a sea of girls that wont let go of him!! Poor Guy! Well he spots me & Corinne & all of the sudden he slides right up on me & starts dancin and singing with me. Ummm yeah I was in shock!! LoL....So much so that I didn't start dancing right away!! *giggles* But then I snapped back to me & was like ummm dance!! lol....I look up & there was a camera right in my face!! Yet another sureal moment!!

He sang *I Do* & *Whisper That Way* and my all time Fave *Invisable Man* Then the finale came he puts on a Sombreo, pulls everyone up on the stage and starts Singing *Una Noche* Well there was SOOOOO many people on the stage that Jeff jumps in front of us. I was getting pushed off the stage and I almost fall onto Jeff! LoL....Now that would have been a classic Kodak Moment.

Concert over...Back to the Hotel Room to freshen up once more. Have a few drinks & were off to BW3!!! Such an amazing night. Jeff was in the back talking to everyone and taking pics. So we make our way back, to talk to him & tell him what an awesome show he put on. I guess it was kinda weird for him to see me Corinne & June all 3 together for once! It won't be the last time either!! I promise you that. I didn't get the usual *I know you don't I?* Lmao....I was expecting it. Instead I get *Hey girl, how have you been?* Um THUD!! And Yeah!! lol....I was like Oh so you know who I am this year?? lol...I HAD to say it!! He said something else and then thanked us for coming out & showing our support. Which of course I always will.....

Then it was more & more drinks....I can still taste those Mudslides that June was making last night. lol....I had to get up & drive a 8am this morning. Because Corinne let us stay with her. Thank god. Because I would have never made it home. But let me tell you. It was another 5 hours today cause I had to drop off Rose in Somerset & she laughed at me the whole way cause I think I was possibly still drunk!! Hey I only had a stomboli yesterday.

So there you go!! Another Jefftrip!! And this may have just been the best one yet!! I had sooo much fun meeting all of you guys in person. FINALLY after all of these years, And many thanks gos to Jeff & Freddy for making that happen!!

If anyone is reading this that has not seen Jeff in person yet. If you get the chance you REALLY need to check him out!! He's an amazing person. With a really big heart! He loves his Fans and it shows!! He has not let us down once in the last 9.5 years. And has gotten me thru alot of shit in life & never even knew it. HIs shows are Fun and the man never stops!! LOL...and if you cant see him live. Well then checkout his Reality show along with Chris Kirkpatrick, Bryan Abrems & Rich Cronin...called Band of Men....On VH1 this Spring!!!!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Just wondering if anyone reading this blog, is planning on Going to the Blue Martini to see Jeff this week? I wanted to go but flights didn't work out. So what I was thinking is this.. Alot of ppl are on twitter now-a-days. If your not. You should be. At this moment Nick is NOT on twitter....BUT JEFF is! :) Hes very interactive with his fans. So get a twitter and follow him here @JeffTimmons98 I promise you, you will NOT be sorry! But if you are on twitter & you are planning on attending the Blue Martini show, either leave me a comment here at the blog. Or let me know on @StillLovin98Deg and I can hook you up with other Jeff Fans that will be there that night as well. Its always great to get to know other Fans that have the same interests!!!Always,

Saturday, November 28, 2009

After I believe several break-ups and just as many 'reconciliations' Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo were enjoying thanksgiving burning sunshine in South Beach, Miami in solidarity with the million of turkeys who got roasted yesterday.

Nick Lachey is set to host a new reality singing competition on NBC. A cappella groups competing for a $100,000 prize and a contract with Sony Music Entertainment's Epic Records. It will premiere on December 14 over four nights with a finally on December 21.

Friday, November 27, 2009

Nick Lachey and his on-again girlfriend Vanessa Minnillo enjoy some alone time while vacationing together prior to Thanksgiving on Tuesday (November 24) in Miami, Fla.

Nick is set to host a new reality singing competition. Eight a cappella singing groups will face off on The Sing-Off, premiering on December 14 on NBC. The winning group will win an Epic Records/Sony Recording contract.

Follow the link for even more photos!!SOURCEAnd he looks so happy about it!

I just love Nick Lachey. He's a philanthropist, popular with the ladies, and is partly responsible for creating the genius that was 'Newlyweds.' I don't care who knows it, I think that show was magic! Chicken of the sea!

And I'm back. Nick Lachey is now all set to host a 4-night competition show on NBC featuring eight singing groups. The premier is December 14th and the prize is an Epic Records/ Sony Recording contract. The groups will be singing a cappella.

"There is nowhere to hide when you're doing an a cappella song," Lachey told People. "There's no band behind you and dubbing. It's just you. It's just them naked on stage and what they have done to prepare is what will show through in that moment."

Naked on stage?! I'm there! I kid; I know what he meant. But it does sound like a pretty fun concept. Like American Idol for groups, and with no accompaniment. Not as good as naked singing, but I'll watch nonetheless.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Atlanta, Georgia. November 24, 2009.“Making records has never been about making money for me”. So as the 98 Degrees founder and multi-platinum recording artist Jeff Timmons prepares not only to self- release his new album, but to launch a new non-traditional, multimedia distribution company, he thought long and hard how best to use the internet, “It is my plan to generate such a buzz with the totally free campaign, that it might create a new business model. This model will consist of the artist using their music as a commercial, and after they've cultivated a large enough fan base, costs of the record will be subsidized by corporate sponsorships.” He continued, “Now, I'm not expecting that to happen with this album cycle, but I'm betting on the music. I feel so strongly that after people listen to it they will become loyal fans, and I will find away to make money from that later.”

Given his unusual history as an independent artist, Jeff decided to embrace the indisputable fact of music in the 21st century, “to make my record, little by little and available for download on my website.”

As Jeff embarks on this new approach to the music industry with both enthusiasm and curiosity and maybe with a twinge of anxiety, there still remains a question that needs to be answered: Why is this soft-spoken, mild-mannered, thirty-something talented musician/producer/songwriter doing this? His response is simply, “I want a lot of people to hear my sound – my music.”

However, it’s important that people understand the free download concept isn’t a frivolous act. Jeff describes this as a key part of his promotional campaign, along with radio and press promotions, live shows, and music videos. It’s a bet that the resources of the Internet can make possible a new way for musicians to find their audience and forge a meaningful artistic career built on support from cooperative, not adversarial, relationships.

Jeff realizes that digital files are the primary means by which a huge segment of the population is exposed to new music but he also believe that plenty of music lovers in the world will buy a record once they’ve heard it – whether via radio or computer.

Jeff believes there’s an inherent qualitative difference at work—not only between MP3s and CDs, but between clicking a mouse and finding a record on the shelves of a good record store. These experiences are not mutually exclusive – they’re interdependent facets of music fandom, and equally important considerations for an independent musician in my position.

Even with the proliferation of websites and magazines paying attention to independent music these days, it remains difficult for independent musicians like Timmons to get exposure, regardless of how good they may be (or how successful they once were). Making the record freely downloadable removes the main barrier that exists between an artist and the world of potential listeners. And it means the world; the web’s reach is everywhere.

Finally, Jeff has this to say, “Only those not confident in their music will be intimidated by this.”

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Rachael Ray heads to Wilmington, Ohio, to come to the aid of a local soup kitchen with a few celebrity friends.

Accompanying Rachael on the trip to ensure the community has a special Thanksgiving celebration are Nick Lachey, Carter Oosterhouse and Kahi Lee, who are adopting the local soup kitchen. They will be surprising them with a complete kitchen and pantry renovation along with a promise to stock their shelves for the year ahead.

The show will also help the community come together for a Thanksgiving feast filled with surprises at Roberts Convention Centre. Rachael knows times are tough for this town and for many others across the country, but the show is looking forward to sharing the blessings of the season and reminding the town of Wilmington that everyone has a reason to be thankful.

Like many towns in America, Wilmington is suffering a severe economic downturn. The DHL shipping center was the town's largest employer, but shut down in January 2009, leaving thousands unemployed with little hope of finding another job in the area. With no options left, hungry residents are turning to the town's only soup kitchen for help.

The special one-hour episode of "Rachael Ray" airs on November 25. Please check local listings at www.rachaelrayshow.com.

Jeff Timmons(photo, left, courtesy Jenn Hoffman Photography), former member of the boy-band supergroup 98 Degrees, is releasing a new album next month. So, what's the big deal about this album? He's giving it away for free (yes, this sentence is redundant — I just wanted to make it clear).

I had the chance to talk with Jeff last week, and we covered a range of topics. From the early days of 98 Degrees to his solo work to being a father, we covered the gamut. Enjoy!

Celebrity Extra: First off how and when did 98 Degrees form? How did you all find each other and get together?

Jeff Timmons: I started a singing group at Kent State, and it was really off the cuff. How it happened is I went to a party with a group of guys I knew from Massillon, and they were singing the song Desperado to try to impress some girls. I suggested we sing something a cappella to really impress them, and they liked it. We thought we were cool, so we decided to quite school and pursue music as a group. I had a semester left before I was to graduate (with a degree in Child Psychology), so you can imagine my parents were not thrilled.

We drove cross-country to L.A. The guys from Massillon were with me for about five months, and they quit. I put an ad out looking for a new group and eventually met a guy who went to school with Nick (Lachey). I don’t know how, but I convinced him to come to L.A. My brother was in the group for a while, and he quit. Drew, Nick’s brother, and Justin, who went to school with Nick, came out and it just sort of came together.

CE: Have you always wanted to be a singer?

JT: I was in plays and stuff, but I didn’t like to sing. I was always afraid to sing. I liked being in theater and acting. But I wanted to quit choir to play sports. As a kid, the only time I wanted to be a big pop star was when Michael Jackson’s Thriller came out — but every kid wanted to be a pop star then.

But that night at the party in college, the sound was good. Aside from Boyz II Men, there were no groups like this at the time. I thought it might be a good idea to go out to L.A. and just try it. It was really weird. I never planned or expected this. I did a lot of stuff on the fly and made a lot of crazy decisions, now that I look back, but I really was feeling that something could come of it.

CE: I’m sure you always get asked this, but is the door open for one day to get back together with 98 Degrees? Do you guys talk about it?

JT: We were one of those groups that didn’t really have a bad breakup. We all got along. Of course, you’re going to get sick of being around the same people 24 hours a day for years, and that’s what happened to us, like you get sick of your brothers and sisters. I don’t think the opportunity has made itself known yet, but we definitely talk about it every time we get together. The door is definitely open.

CE: What made you decide to put out this new album, especially by yourself?

[His first solo album] Whisper That Way was a small project. I had just gotten off the road and there was a huge backlash against boy-band music, aside from Justin Timberlake. The rest of us had to try to figure out how to keep being successful. I had learned a lot in the studio, so I was tinkering around and did that whole album myself with some friends. The production isn’t really that strong, but it did have a hit song come from it.

This new album I am really proud of. I produced everything, mixed everything. I do all that stuff, because I love it. I don’t do it because I think I am supertalented or supercool. I just don’t want anyone else touching my stuff. In the group, we’d had producers forced on us, but we also worked with great producers. I learned from what they did and tried to implement it into this new music.

CE: What made you decide to give it away for free?

JT: I love this new music and I want people to be able to get their hands on it. We sold almost 11 million records with 98 Degrees, and I don’t know if all the fans out there are aware that I do music myself. They don’t know what my music is going to sound like, and I can’t expect them to just go out and buy it, spend 10 or 15 bucks. I thought, I’ll give it away. I mean, if you want to get your hands on music for free nowadays you can do it in a second, with downloading and file sharing. Why not get people in one place, find out who the fans are, let them know I am behind giving it to them for free and then go from there? We’ll see what happens after that. We’ll see if I can get people excited about it. It’s just about reintroducing myself.

In the future, music is going to be sponsored by corporations. That’s how you can continue to make money as an artist and subsidize the cost of making the album. When you have a passion for something, you want people to see your work. You don’t always know how to get paid for being creative. I think this model can be a model for a lot of different people.

CE: In listening to some of the new songs, I really liked Sexy Mama; it is very definitely Prince influenced. And I heard some Michael Jackson-esque songs in there …

I was trying different things. With Sexy Mama, I was in a vibe where I wanted to sound like Prince. Sometimes people get a little too deep in what a song is supposed to mean. If it’s a ballad that you are pouring your heart and soul into, that’s one thing, but if you’re writing about a sexy woman, how deep can you really get? I just wanted to bring the kind of vibe where people can just have fun. That’s what the whole album is about.The last album, I was going through hell. I was going through a divorce, I had kids and it was rough. I didn’t know how to produce records all the way yet. We were off the road, and I couldn’t catch a cold from the press. That album was serious, but it was something I wanted to do. This new album is all about fun. I’ve got plenty of 98 Degree-type songs, but I just wanted people to see that I can do songs like this too.

CE: When You Were Here is a really personal song. Is it difficult to sing about stuff like that?

JT: There’s a way you can communicate with a song that you can’t with just words. If you’re like me, sometimes you say the wrong things. But with writing a song like this, you have time to get it as close to perfect as you can to express the feelings you are having.

CE: Tell me about being Jeff the father. How awesome is it to be someone’s daddy?

JT: It is the best thing in the world. My career and everything I’ve been doing centers on being a dad. Rather than me wanting to get my music out there so I can make some money and get famous, now I want to make the music I like and figure out how to make money from it without being on tour forever, because I’ve got to be with my kids (Alyssa, 10, and Jeffrey “Buddy”, 8). Anyone who knows me knows that my kids are my life. I coach my daughter’s soccer team; I’ve been to every one of my son’s football games; I help them with their homework. I am really hands-on in their lives. Nothing I’ve accomplished music-wise is as fulfilling as far as your soul goes or your spirit. I am more proud seeing my girl do the school announcements and the Pledge of Allegiance. And my son’s football team is really good and they are going to the playoffs. I just go and watch with all the other dads. My most proud achievement is my kids and how well they are turning out.

Sign up to get your FREE Jeff Timmons album at JeffTimmons.com, and between Christmas and New Years he’ll send out an e-mail with a link to the finished album, which is most likely going to be called Emotional High. And don’t miss him co-host the nationally syndicated morning talk show The Daily Buzz on Monday, Nov. 30, and perform on Tuesday, Dec. 1. Check your local TV listings for details. If you are in the Orlando area on Dec. 2, he’ll be performing at the Blue Martini (Here’s his Facebook link for details: http://tinyurl.com/JTBlueMartini).

“Making records has never been about making money for me”. So as the 98 Degrees founder and multi-platinum recording artist Jeff Timmons prepares not only to self- release his new album, but to launch a new non-traditional, multimedia distribution company, he thought long and hard how best to use the internet, “It is my plan to generate such a buzz with the totally free campaign, that it might create a new business model. This model will consist of the artist using their music as a commercial, and after they've cultivated a large enough fan base, costs of the record will be subsidized by corporate sponsorships.” He continued, “Now, I'm not expecting that to happen with this album cycle, but I'm betting on the music. I feel so strongly that after people listen to it they will become loyal fans, and I will find away to make money from that later.”

Given his unusual history as an independent artist, Jeff decided to embrace the indisputable fact of music in the 21st century, “to make my record, little by little and available for download on my website.”As Jeff embarks on this new approach to the music industry with both enthusiasm and curiosity and maybe with a twinge of anxiety, there still remains a question that needs to be answered: Why is this soft-spoken, mild-mannered, thirty-something talented musician/producer/songwriter doing this? His response is simply, “I want a lot of people to hear my sound – my music.”

Jeff believes there’s an inherent qualitative difference at work—not only between MP3s and CDs, but between clicking a mouse and finding a record on the shelves of a good record store. These experiences are not mutually exclusive – they’re interdependent facets of music fandom, and equally important considerations for an independent musician in my position.

Even with the proliferation of websites and magazines paying attention to independent music these days, it remains difficult for independent musicians like Timmons to get exposure, regardless of how good they may be (or how successful they once were). Making the record freely downloadable removes the main barrier that exists between an artist and the world of potential listeners. And it means the world; the web’s reach is everywhere.

Finally, Jeff has this to say, “Only those not confident in their music will be intimidated by this.” Jeff would like everyone to please enjoy the record. Everything else is secondary.

Jeff has this special message to his friends and fans in Atlanta:

Hi Atlanta,

I just wanted to thank all my friends and fans for their support over the years, and with this new free album giveaway. My media ties in the Atlanta have been a major factor and support system throughout this process.

I am trying to set up a show or concert in your area soon. You can help me out by contacting the folks at Q100, and letting them know there is a demand. As always, your excitement and love for me is greatly appreciated.

Jeff is inviting everyone to a night of music and fun at the Blue Martini Lounge in Orlando, Florida, December 2nd, 2009 8:00 p.m.

Jeff wants to share his passion for music as he holds his first show to launch the long anticipated new project. Jeff will be meeting and holding a private show for the VIP’s and a second performance for the public.

“This is really my first show launching my "free" music to support a new project that I'm very proud of. I would love to share the experience with as many as possible.” Jeff concludes.

Monday, November 23, 2009

WILMINGTON, OHIO -- Talk show host and celebrity chef Rachael Ray headed to Wilmington, Ohio to come help a local soup kitchen and give the economically-strapped community a special Thanksgiving celebration and we have a sneak peek of the show.

Rachael Ray and her team, including Nick Lachey, Carter Oosterhouse and Kahi Lee adopted the Wilmington soup kitchen. They surprised them with a complete kitchen and pantry renovation along with a promise to stock their shelves for the year ahead.

Like many towns in America, Wilmington is suffering a severe economic downturn. The DHL shipping center was the town's largest employer, but shut down in January, 2009 leaving thousands unemployed with little hope of finding another job in the area.

With no options left, hungry residents are turning to the town's only soup kitchen for help.

The majority of people coming into the soup kitchen are former DHL employees, and the kitchen is overwhelmed with trying to feed 200 to 300 people per day. instead of their normal few hundred a week.

See the special one-hour episode of Rachael Ray's "Thanksgiving on Main Street" taped in Wilmington on WKYC-TV, at 2 p.m. Wednesday (Nov. 25).

Nick Lachey and Drew Lachey. Jimmie Johnson wins the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship after finishing in fifth place in the Ford 400. Johnson becomes the first driver in the history of NASCAR to win four consecutive championships since it started in 1949. Homestead, Florida - 22.11.09

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Everything that is found here are articles & pictures that I have found on the Web. I am just a fan helping out other fans on Jeff, Nick, Justin & Drew's Solo's careers. You will find a SOURCE button at the top of every article that is published. To head you back to where the original came from...If this does not work please email me as blogger may not have posted it right. I am in NO WAY trying to take the credit for anyone else. If something is here that is yours & you would like take down please let me know. As no harm was intended..

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